Terms You Should Know About Military Families

Army Brat

A child of an army member. An army brat moves around a lot, and has lived near or on base their entire lives.

Base Exchange (BX)

A store where military members and their families could purchase household items.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

An allowance given to military members for housing when government quarters are not provided.

Basic Allowance for Substance (BAS)

An allowance for food when a service members live at home.

Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO)

When a member of the military dies, an officer assists the family by helping to plan the funeral and burial

Commissary

A store in which members of the military and their families could buy food and beverages.

Dependent

A person whom a member of the military is legally and financially responsible for.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

A program which provides assistance and support to military families who have members with specific needs or disabilities.

Family Readiness Group (FRG)

An organization of officers, enlisted personnel and family members. This organization provides a support network for military families and guard members. FRG is most active during periods of separation, annual training, deployments, mobilization, etc.

Invitational travel Order (ITO)

A document allowing family members to travel on government funds.

Loan Closet

New military families can borrow household items until they are permanently given housing or until their household items come in.

National Military Family Association (NMFA)

A non-for-profit organization aimed towards improving the lives of military family members.

Privatized housing

A public/private program where private sector developers can own, improve, maintain and take responsibility for family military housing.

Quarters

Government-owned housing for military families.

Sources:

States

Kate Army Wife

Military Home Front